Former Hawk Acciari helping to lead Providence on the ice

Noel Acciari played a key role in preventing college hockey history from taking place on December 7 as he contributed a goal and an assist in Providence’s 3-3 tie against then-No. 2 Boston College.

The former Hendricken standout sparked the Friar fight back from a two-goal deficit early in the third period with his fourth goal of the season before assisting on a Nick Saracino goal with just 11 seconds left in regulation.

The Saracino goal tied the score and precluded BC coach Jerry York from claiming the 925th win of his career, which would have netted him the all-time record for victories at the Division I level.

Acciari, a redshirt freshman, opened his collegiate scoring account under dramatic circumstances on Oct. 20 with a tying goal against fourth-ranked Miami of Ohio in the final minute of regulation.

Sadly for Acciari and the Friars, the Red Hawks squelched the possibility of an early-season upset via an Austin Czarnik game-winner 3:35 into the extra period.

Acciari has racked up eight points to-date this season, split evenly between goals and assists. His four goals place him in a three-way tie for third on the team.

Buco chipping in for River Hawks

Despite only suiting up for nine games so far this season, Stephen Buco has made his mark on the ice for the UMass-Lowell River Hawks as they try to claw their way up the Hockey East standings.

Buco, who attended Hendricken before playing for the Boston Bulldogs of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, has scored four goals, none more important than the marker that tied the Dec. 30 game against Bentley at two goals apiece.

Buco’s goal came just 11 seconds prior to the tally that put UMass-Lowell up for good in the contest.

The come-from-behind win over the Falcons came just as the River Hawks were returning from a three-week break for final exams and Christmas. UMass-Lowell is currently on a five-game winning streak that has seen them push their overall record to 9-7-1 and gain entry into the USCHO.com Top 20.